University of Missouri Athletics

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

• 3.19: Average Men's Cross Country team GPA
• 3.49: Average Women's Cross Country team GPA
• 1 Olympian
• 1 Collegiate Record
• 2 Honda Sports Woman of the Year Award winners
• 4 Collegiate Top-10 Marks
• 6 Individual National Championships
• 11 School Records
• 12 All-Americans
• 13 SEC Champions
• 46 Top 10 marks in Mizzou history

Stephen Smith enters his sixth season on the Mizzou coaching staff as an assistant coach, helping to coach Mizzou’s distance and mid-distance squad, as well as leading recruiting efforts. Smith previously spent three years as a student manager (2011-14), two as the director of operations (2014-16) and one as the recruiting coordinator (2016-17) with the Tigers. 

In his current role, Smith spearheads the Mizzou recruiting efforts while also contributing to the daily workings of the mid-distance and distance runners on the cross country and track & field teams. 

During his time on staff, he has helped cross country teams earn a number of accolades including the women’s 2016 NCAA Midwest Regional Championship title, third place finishes for the women’s cross country team at the SEC Cross Country Championships in 2016 and 2019 and a third-place result for the men’s team at the 2021 SEC Championships. 

Smith was on staff for a highly successful distance season in 2017-18, as the women’s cross country team placed fourth at the SEC Cross Country Championships, while the women’s track & field team placed ninth and 11th at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships and NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, respectively. 

At an individual level, Smith has developed some of Mizzou’s most accomplished athletes. In the 2020 indoor season, Smith elevated Martin Prodanov to the SEC title in the mile.

He was instrumental in the development of decorated Tiger Karissa Schweizer. Schweizer concluded her collegiate career with six National Championships, 11 All-America honors, four top-five program records, and being named the 2018 USTFCCCA Women’s Indoor Track National Athlete of the Year and the 2016 USTFCCCA Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year. Going on to run for Bowerman Track Club, Schweizer became the second female Olympian in program history.

In addition, during the 2017-18 season, Smith coached Meg Cunningham to the 2018 SEC Indoor Title in the 5,000m and the SEC Outdoor Title in the 10k.

During 2016-17, Smith guided Jamie Kempfer to NCAA Cross Country All-American honors and Outdoor Second-Team All-American honors in the 10k. Kemper claimed the 2017 SEC Outdoor 10k title and qualified for the NCAA Championships in the event.

Under Smith’s guidance, Mizzou has enjoyed an enormous increase in interest from prospective student-athletes. Between superb official visits, detailed scouting reports, and constant communication with student-athletes through weekly mailings and messages, Smith has helped elevate Mizzou’s recruiting efforts to a level comparable to its SEC counterparts.

A vital contributor to the program’s effectiveness, Smith also serves as the program’s camp and meet director for all home events, collegiate and high school.

A two-time alum of the University of Missouri, Smith earned his B.S. in Business Administration in May 2015, and finished his M.A. in Education in Positive Psychology in May 2016.

Development Chart

Karissa Highlights

Gans Creek Highlights

Men’s 5k Highlight

Chris Conrad All American Highlight

Down Under Feature